Massage the Mind

And We're Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Inspirations) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 19:34:00 +0000

Well, that was quite a long break wasn't it? We are now back in full swing after various surgeries, moving the office, etc. It has been a crazy past six months. But I'm happy to report that my cancer is gone and I'm on the road to recovery!

We've relocated the office and it seems like it will be a good move. We have lowered overhead which has reduced some stress for us. The new space just has a great energy about it and we are optimistic!

Currently, we are trying to think of ways to help our clients in these stressful economic times. Keep watching the web site for specials or announcements as we have many ideas floating around and may try them out from time to time.

This is a rough time for us all, but we can get through it. Especially if we help each other along the way.

Sometimes Life Happens

noreply@blogger.com (Inspirations) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 08:09:00 +0000

Alot has been going on during the last few months. The most pressing at the moment is my current health status. I was diagnosed with breast cancer a couple of weeks ago and will be undergoing surgery this coming Friday. Thanks to early detection, things look good and this should be 99.9% curable. I am so thankful for that right now!

In the process, the emotional rollercoaster has been quite the ride lately. One minute I'm doing good and dealing with things quite well I think and the next minute I'm crying like a baby wanting to curl up under a rock. I guess its to be expected and time will take care of it but it sure gets the best of me at times.

I've been listening to Enigma alot lately. Specifically, "The Return to Innocence". For some reason the words to that song have been striking a chord with me lately (no pun intended).

Don't be afraid to be weak
Don't be too proud to be strong
Just look into your heart my friend
That will be the return to yourself
The return to innocence
If you want, then start to laugh
If you must, then start to cry
Be yourself don't hide
Just believe in destiny
Don't care what people say
Just follow your own way
Don't give up and lose the chance
to return to innocence

It's become a mantra of sorts to help me deal with all the emotions I run through in the course of a day. And I think sometimes, life just happens. Maybe this is in the grand scheme of things for me to learn to slow down and learn life's lessons. That's not a bad lesson either and one I am entirely ready to learn.

In the meantime, I'll keep singing my song and hope that the rollercoaster cruises to a stop sometime soon.

Thanks for listening!

How Much More?

noreply@blogger.com (Inspirations) — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:42:00 +0000

How much more are we going to be willing to pay for gas before we stand together and say ENOUGH!? I, for one, had enough about $2.00 a gallon ago! I know that we Americans are very attached to our cars because it affords us the freedom that is the great American dream.

But truthfully, when it begins to impact so many people's lives by driving up food prices, and other goods to the point that more and more people can't make ends meet, is it really worth it? When employers cut jobs because their profits are shrinking, and then homes are lost because there isn't enough money to pay the bills, then where did our dream go? Our reliance on fuel has made us more slaves than free. I love my car just as much as anyone, I am not one that likes to walk or bike to run my errands, but you know what? I'm going to start!

People laugh and say that there is nothing we can do, we are too dependent. Well, if we just sit back and take it, you are right. Nothing will change and there may be no end in sight for fuel prices. But fuel companies are posting BILLION dollar profits in triple digits for the first THREE MONTHS of 2008, I think they should be able to cut prices a little bit so that the little guys can survive!

A few people trying to make a grand effort to cut fuel consumption probably won't make much difference. But a lot of people cutting fuel consumption even a little bit when they can, will make a much bigger impact over time. So, let's stand together and do what we can!! Take a moment to think about your trip. If it can be done by walking, biking or on a scooter, why not do it? It is good for you and if you do it as a family or with friends, it is also good quality time. Obviously, not everyone can do it, or should do it. And not all trips can be done, I don't think my $200 in groceries will fit on my bike. But a quick trip to the bank, or post office or whatever can.

By standing together and letting it be known that we have had enough, we are excercising our TRUE freedom! This is what our country was based on, what our soldiers have died for. Don't stand by and be complacent and complain. Take some action! At least you will feel that you are contributing to a solution, and doing something good for yourself in the process!

Current State of Affairs

noreply@blogger.com (Inspirations) — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:15:00 +0000

It seems we are all working harder and harder and getting by with less and less. It is so frustrating at times. I know for myself my stress has been high and physical aches and pains are rampant at times. (uh, maybe that is just my age creeping up!) So I thought it was a good time to remind us all, and myself as well, just how much good that little one hour vacation on the massage table can actually be for us.

The stress is a no-brainer. You are lying there listening to relaxing music, letting your mind drift while you are snuggled under blankets and you have those aches and pains rubbed out of your body. Because massage increases endorphins in the system, your stress goes down and the world looks better again. And, because your stress is abating, your blood pressure starts dropping. This is great news to your body, because high blood pressure can do a lot of physical damage.

At first glance some think that massage is expensive. But when you compare the cost of that one hour of total relaxation to the price of the long term affects of stress, it is really not that much in the long run. Most people spend as much for a hair cut and think nothing of it. This is something that is definitely going to improve your health and well-being. Think of the pain relievers, sleep aids, and other products you won't be taking into your body.

Massage is a valuable addition to your health maintenance. So take care of the one body you have while there is time! It is something I need to remember for myself as well.

Credentials - What do they REALLY mean?

noreply@blogger.com (Inspirations) — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 05:28:00 +0000

Ever wonder what all the letters mean behind the massage therapist's name? Why do some say LMT and others CMT? All of this can be confusing and maybe intimidating to the consumer, but it doesn't have to be. Arm yourself with a little knowledge and you can make a better informed decision when selecting a therapist.

So what DO they mean? The simple answer is that LMT means "licensed massage therapist" and the CMT indicates "certified massage therapist". Easy enough, but what is the difference?? That depends on where you live. Most states require testing, and licensing, of their massage therapists much like doctors, physical therapists, and even hair stylists. For those states that issue licenses, therapists are LMTs. The sad truth is, the state of Idaho does NOT regulate massage therapists and therefore, there is no state "license". Why do some therapists still advertise this? Because they have a CITY license which allows them to practice massage in their city. It gets even sadder at this point because most cities require no education to get this license. In the city of Boise, all you have to do is go pay a fee, get fingerprinted, sign a form saying they can do a "background" check and you are off and running. However, if you prove you belong to a professional organization, your fees are less, there are no fingerprints or background checks. Why? Because the professional organization requires education. That is where the CMT designation comes in. In order to be "certified" you must have completed a course of study in massage. The school then issues you a certificate, hence the "certification".

So, in the state of Idaho, the simple truth is that an LMT has the appropriate city license, but may or may not have the education to back it up and a CMT has the education but may or may not have the appropriate license from the city.

You'll also see the NCTM or NCTMB which is a national certification granted by the National Certification Board. This requires proof of education and successful passing of a national exam. Most states that do regulate use this exam as their criteria. Those of us in Idaho that have taken this step, have done so in preparation that ONE day, Idaho will get with the program and regulate our industry. It is a means for the consumer to know that the therapist has the knowledge needed to safely perform massage.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not dissing those that have not yet taken the test. I know many therapists that haven't but still have the concern for the profession. I think you'll find most therapists do. My concern however is for the general consumer. Most people have no idea that no education is required. And I know there is such a thing as natural talent, I've seen it. However, the formal training does teach some very important things such as "endangerment sites", areas to avoid or to modify your treatment and "contraindications", conditions that would make massage the WRONG thing to do. Without knowing these "basics", the consumer could be, and is, at risk. All it takes is one bad situation to make headlines and the entire profession loses credibility. Unfortunately, that is probably what it will take to get Idaho legislators to adopt state regulation.

And, when it comes to chosing a therapist, don't be afraid to ask questions about training, certification, licensing, etc. Any respectable therapist will not have any problem answering your questions and will probably provide more info than you asked for. After all, this is your body and your massage. You have the right to a safe massage and at this point in time it is up to you to make sure you get it. For the therapists out there, I urge you to take the initiative and obtain national certification. Not only is it good for you because it keeps your skills and knowledge sharp, but it is better for the public. Let's do our part to promote a more professional image and keep our clients safe. In the process jus tmaybe we'll see a change in this state.

What's in Your Resolution?

noreply@blogger.com (Inspirations) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 08:23:00 +0000

Here we are, facing down another year with resolutions of what we will and will not do in the coming months. We start out the year with the best of intentions of keeping those promises to ourselves only to look back at the end of the year and discover we didn't do such a great job. So, here's my thought. I'm not making a resolution! HA! Oh sure, I would like to do the usual, lose weight, pay off this bill or that one, save more money, yada yada. But I'm approaching this like you would a stubborn child. If I SAY I'm going to do these things, then I'm bound to fail. So why not just NOT say it? Not make it official? Maybe then I'll actually make some progress?! There you have it. I'm not going to beat myself up at the end of the year. Let's try rolling with the punches and see where that gets us. It will certainly alleviate some stress. And, when you alleviate stress, your body responds by working better. When the body works better it's easier to lose weight, think more clearly and be focused. Hmmmm this sounds like it just might work!!!

For those that need those resolutions as a yard stick by which to measure yourselves, I wish you all the best. May the New Year be good to you and may you be successful. For those others out there that are flying by the seat of their pants, I'm right there with you! May we have the best year ever, one day at a time!

That Time of Year

noreply@blogger.com (Inspirations) — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 03:40:00 +0000

Well, it happened. I must have blinked or something because the year just flew right on by! Here we are coming up on the Holidays again, didn't we just do this? It should be a happy time but so often I see people stressed out and even angry. It is the time of year when everyone gets in a rush to buy gifts and decorate. Let's put things in perspective. I've recently been reminded of just how short life can be and when you really get down to it, little Jimmy will live through a Christmas without the XBox. At least he's not facing the possibility of living without one of his parents. Or, in Saint Jude's Childrens Research Hospital battling for his own life.

This is the time of year for happiness and forgiveness. Not one of us can claim a life without regret or skeletons of some sort in our closet. The next time you find yourself sitting in judgment, take a step back and reflect on your own life for a moment, those stupid and offensive things that we all like to pretend don't exist. Possibly you'll find that the offense that ruffled your feathers isn't so bad after all. Whatever your belief system may be, take this time of the year to flush out the bad feelings you may be harboring. Purge the hurtful past of the year from you so that you can start the upcoming new year with a fresh perspective. Remember the special things, no matter how small. Because does it really matter who forgot to pay the car payment? I'd like to think it matters more that we're all here, while we still are.

Cancer and Massage

noreply@blogger.com (Inspirations) — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 04:52:00 +0000

It seems that cancer becomes more and more prevalent in our society with each passing year, and, those affected seek any available treatment for the cancer itself, or to relieve the other afflictions brought on by treatment. Most people don't realize how beneficial massage can be for a cancer patient. Massage has been shown to relieve nausea brought on by chemo, help with sleep disorders brought on by treatments and/or stress, and to decrease pain from the cancer itself. With regard to the pain, it is still unclear if it actually eases pain or simply lowers the perception of pain, but cancer patients do report less with massage as part of their treatment. It also helps with the feeling of aloneness that many patients report. Having their bodies touched gently and compassionately is often a wonderful change when undergoing treatments that can be harsh and leaves a body feeling battered.

And although massage can be a great experience for cancer patients, it is also very important to find a therapist that has been adequately trained in dealing with cancer patients. A lot of schools still don't teach therapists how to properly treat these patients, or they teach that you don't. Working with a cancer patient requires changes in pressure, length of session, and often positioning. It requires being able to understand levels for blood cell counts and platelets, and make accurate judgments on how these levels dictate the changes in the massage session. It requires being able to work in conjunction with nurses and physicians and provide feedback if/when needed. A therapist that is trained properly in these areas can provide a safe and comfortable experience for the patient.

I'll never give up hope for a cure but in the meantime, I will continue to do what I can to make patients comfortable during the battle of their lives. As the anniversary of the death of my dear cousin looms near I can only say that whatever we do, it isn't enough until a cure is found. We are all in this fight together whether we know it or not.

In Memory of Kim McGuire (2/17/61 - 10/18/05)

The Deal with Men Clients

noreply@blogger.com (Inspirations) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 04:08:00 +0000

It never fails that when I'm working on a new female client, inevitably the question will come up about dealing with men clients, specifically, those that are not respectful and expect something more than just the massage they came in for. We've had a few of those instances in the office and they aren't pleasant, and no amount of mental preparation can actually prepare you for the confrontation that will ultimately take place with these clients. (and, just a side note so as not to slam the men here, there are women out there that will try the same to their male OR female therapists).

A good amount of time, you can tell the troublemakers when they walk through the door, but other times it can take you by surprise. There is no real secret in dealing with it, I think we all handle it in our own way. I've actually slapped a man on the forehead for raising the sheet and flashing me while I was working on his scalp. It was instinctive, I couldn't help myself! But the general practice is to warn the client that their behavior is unacceptable. After the warning, we simply walk out of room and inform them the massage has ended. Pretty simple sounding but you never know how one will react so in reality it is a scary thing to do.

But what really boggles our mind is this. There are those places out there that do provide "happy endings" and they are well known. We all know them. Why then, do you come to a reputable therapist and make these attempts? Wouldn't it just be easier to go where the answer will be yes, or is that what you are afraid of, that someone will actually go through with it?

For all the decent, respectful male clients out there, I must say a huge THANK YOU!! There are far more of you than the others, but once you've dealt with them, it is such a pleasant, refreshing experience to have a polite male client. (or female for that matter)

So, thank you to all of our wonderful clients, male and female. We truly enjoy working with you and helping to alleviate your aches and pains. To those that may be seeking other services, we don't offer them, never have, never will. But if you cruise the streets late at night, you'll see the places that do. They'll have a neon OPEN light on and parking will be around back. Get a clue!

What's in a Name?

noreply@blogger.com (Inspirations) — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 04:12:00 +0000

This is my first attempt at blogging so please bear with me as I learn! I thought I'd post this as my first one because it seems to be something that Massage Therapists talk about amongst each other but don't often mention to others. What's in a name...such as "Masseuse"? If you ask many Massage Therapists you will find that the word "masseuse" really bothers them and they cringe at the sound. People laugh at this, my husband included, and don't understand the big deal. The word "masseuse" has long been associated with those who provide sexually oriented extras with their "massage".

Because of this, serious therapists prefer to be called a Massage Therapist. Anyone can give a back rub or for that matter, provide certain extras. The schooling for most Massage Therapy programs is long and intense. It costs well into the thousands of dollars and most therapists are looking to make a difference in the health of their clients, and take their work very seriously. It is often a slap in the face when the word "masseuse" is used because this same word is still used to describe those other types out there doing "entertainment" massage. After the hard work to learn so much about the human body, and the money spent for the schooling, all we ask is to be taken seriously. Maybe it's trivial, but we prefer a title that sets us apart from those who do not focus on the therapeutic side of the industry. So, the next time you go to introduce or refer your massage therapist to someone, stop and recognize the training you appreciate so much; use the words "Massage Therapist". You may just catch a smile of appreciation as it crosses her face!